But that didn’t matter right now. Right now, every second counted, every minute she spent in danger burned in his gut like acid.
He’d been heading that way anyway. Wanting to pick up a few things he knew Bliss needed, he’d stopped by the store, andthat had taken longer than he’d thought. Why the fuck were there so many different brands of everything under the sun that a baby needed? Diapers, wipes, bottles—every damn aisle was a minefield of indecision, and he had no idea what he was doing.
On the way to his car, Connor called Raleigh Stevens. Raleigh was the lawyer on retainer for Sabre Security, and he’d been a huge help when Gage’s Little girl, Breezy, was going through everything the General put her through. If anyone could untangle this mess, it was Raleigh. It took some time, but Connor tried to be as brief as possible when he explained what was going on.
“Yeah, I get you, Conn,” Raleigh said when Connor finished. “But it’s Saturday. There’s a limit to what I can do unless it’s an emergency. The courthouse is closed.”
“You don’t call this an emergency?” Connor tried to keep his voice level, but it wasn’t easy when his friend said shit like that. But friend or not, he was going to do what Connor wanted. His pulse spiked, fingers tightening on the steering wheel. This wasn’t just urgent. It was a matter of life or death for Bliss and those babies. “I need you out at Bliss’s house. Child Protective Services is at her house right now.”
There was a pause before Raleigh growled, “You’re shitting me. What the hell for? I’ve seen her with those kids. She’s an awesome mom.”
“I agree, but some asshole called in a complaint saying she was neglecting them. So some pencil-pushing busybody showed up about fifteen minutes ago, demanding that Bliss let her in to look around. My girl is terrified, and she’s there alone.”
Again, Connor heard nothing but dead air. “Raleigh, did you hear me?”
“Yes, I heard you. I’m trying to get my shoes on. Are you close to her?”
“I’m about three minutes out.”
“Good. I’m on my way. For God’s sake, don’t let her say anything. If the woman said they had the right to come in, it’s serious. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“Thanks, man. I owe you.” Connor ended the call without waiting for Raleigh to respond. Noting the time, he pushed the gas pedal down harder. If his jaw got any tighter, he was going to have to pry it open with a crowbar.
He’d never known three minutes was an eternity.
When Connor pulled up to Bliss’s house, he had a sense of déjà vu. He’d been there not twenty-four hours ago. That visit had gone to hell. He had no idea if she’d even let him back into her house. He wouldn’t blame her if she didn’t.
But she was in real trouble, and he was the one who was going to get her out of it.
Every step toward that door felt like walking into a warzone, but he didn’t care. Nothing mattered but Bliss and those babies.
It may have been less than a day since he’d seen her, but a lot had happened since then. He’d pulled his head out of his ass, for one thing. He had a lot of ground to make up. He’d hurt her in a way he’d never do again. This was just the first of many steps to proving it.
He’d still kill anyone else who tried to hurt her. His chest had almost exploded when she’d called him a few minutes ago. She sounded utterly lost. And she hadn’t turned to him. He had no right to feel hurt, but he did.
A silver CR-V sat to his right, but he ignored it. He jogged to the door, knocked once, and stepped inside. Bliss sat in an armchair near her bedroom door with her knees pulled up to her chest. Her eyes were almost swollen shut from crying, and the room was silent except for her whimpering. His fierce, loving little girl looked... fragile. The thought of anyone threatening her peace made his teeth grind.
He went straight to her, lifted her up, and sat down with her in his lap. She tried to struggle, but at his single command of, “Still,” she relaxed back into him. Her weight was a confusing mix of burden and relief. And he would carry her forever if she needed him.
“Bliss’s lawyer is on his way,” he informed the woman sitting stiff-backed at the front edge of the couch, as if she thought she might catch something if she sat back. Connor narrowed his eyes. “What exactly is this about?”
The woman gave him one of the fiercest Betty Better Than You looks he’d ever seen. She probably practiced it in the mirror. She radiated arrogance, the kind that made him want to punch through a wall.
When he held her gaze, she challenged him. Sliding her glasses to the tip of her nose, she stared at him. Without trying to hide her disdain, she asked, “And, uh, you are?”
Connor smiled, knowing it would piss her off. “Connor Davis, Bliss’s fiancé.”
Who the fuck did this woman think she was? He better not catch her using that snide-ass tone with Bliss. He didn’t care if she thought her shit didn’t stink. He wasn’t going to have her looking down her crooked nose at his girl.
“And you are?” Connor asked, just to tick the woman off.
Bliss froze but remained quiet. That was his girl. Even now, she trusted him enough to stay still. Her trust ignited a spark that warmed his chest.
Anger and scornful disbelief bloomed across the woman’s face. “My name is Ms. Talon. Miss Carpenter didn’t mention being engaged. It’s not in my paperwork.” She shot a pointed glance at Bliss’s ring finger. “And I don’t see a ring. When did this engagement take place?”
“I’m not sure that’s any of your business, Ms. Talon.” Connor injected as much derision into his tone as he could. “But if you’dlike to call her sister, I asked Bliss to marry me the night before last at Winnie Nolan’s house, surrounded by all our friends.”
He took his phone out of his pocket. “I can bring up the number if you want to talk to her.” Holding his phone toward Ms. Talon, he waited for her response.
